SKIMS Soura reconstitutes panel to boost drug safety monitoring

Srinagar, July 04: Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, has reconstituted its Pharmacovigilance Committee in a move towards enhancing drug safety and rational use of medicines.Officials said the committee has been set up to align with national guidelines issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).As per an order of SKIMS the reconstituted committee brings together key professionals from SKIMS, Soura, and SKIMS Medical College and Hospital, Bemina, with a mandate to detect, assess, understand, and prevent adverse effects related to medicines and vaccines.“The primary focus will be on identifying Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) occurring in patients admitted to the hospital and ensuring timely reporting to the National Pharmacovigilance Center,” the order said.As outlined in the official order, the committee will also generate independent, evidence-based recommendations on the safety of drugs. This is expected to contribute to more informed decisions in clinical practice while also safeguarding patient health.Another key objective includes minimizing the occurrence of ADRs and promoting rational drug use across healthcare services at both SKIMS campuses.It stated that the body will work closely with all categories of healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians, students, and service providers, to promote a culture of vigilance and accountability in medication practices.The committee has also been tasked with encouraging pharmacovigilance-related research and communicating findings with all relevant stakeholders.“By strengthening its internal pharmacovigilance mechanism, SKIMS aims to establish itself as a center of excellence in drug safety monitoring on par with global standards,” it said.This development also supports the ongoing efforts under the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), which seeks to ensure patient safety through active surveillance and data-driven interventions.